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Original poster

Ridiculous 7am start on Boxing Day

436 replies

OatMilkLattes · 14/12/2022 11:04

Hi, I have rejoined MN after a few months off.

I work for a large company in London and we have the 26th/27th off.

We were sent a handover a few days ago from our boss as she has the entire Christmas period off (for the 4th year in a row, meaning I couldn’t take the time off too, but that’s another story!)

She has asked me to log on to my computer to check something at 7am on Boxing Day. In the handover it literally says ‘26th Dec - bank holiday’ and then says for me to log on. I will not get paid for this.

Also if said thing I am checking is wrong, I will need to flag with tech to fix it. That means I will need to phone them and because my flat is so insulated, I need to leave my house and go outside to get signal. I will also have people staying with me so I will end up waking everyone up.

Anyway I am FURIOUS. What can I do here? I feel like knowing I have to log on so early on Boxing Day will semi ruin my Xmas day.

😡

OP posts:
Jaybird43 · 14/12/2022 12:36

@OatMilkLattes if you are leaving anyway, don’t do it. Your manager expects you to be a doormat here - don’t do it. It’s her problem, not yours.

MrsMiddleMother · 14/12/2022 12:38

Reply with as I won't be getting paid, I won't be doing it. Feel free though

AlisonDonut · 14/12/2022 12:39

What will happen if it doesn't get checked?

Motnight · 14/12/2022 12:39

I would add 'is there anyone else that I should talk to about this' to let your manager know that you are ready to escalate this, Op.

Good luck!

user1471538283 · 14/12/2022 12:40

I bet she has been told to check it and doesn't want to.

Reply with no again.

She can check it and go back to bed ...

TrixJax · 14/12/2022 12:40

Just respond Sorry I'm not working that day. Every. Single. Time.

She will then need to find another suckers person or do it herself

OnlyFannys · 14/12/2022 12:43

TrixJax · 14/12/2022 12:40

Just respond Sorry I'm not working that day. Every. Single. Time.

She will then need to find another suckers person or do it herself

But without the sorry. She is making unreasonably demands

Brefugee · 14/12/2022 12:44

Her response was for me to please check it still and you can go back to bed after

Just reply as above pp have said, with "no can do" and give no reasons. Unless you want to say that you have limited time of and won't be giving any of it up.

And just keep repeating that. If you can cc (with email chain) any of her superiors, now would be a good time to do so

keepcalm11 · 14/12/2022 12:45

God the absolute cheek of her.

I'd say same as PP's reiterate 'No as per my response I'm on leave therefore wont be logging on to work' and also add 'Please dont ask again'

MajorCarolDanvers · 14/12/2022 12:45

If you are leaving anyway just say no sorry that won't be possible.

What's she going to do?

XmasElf10 · 14/12/2022 12:46

You are leaving??? You just say no!!

Unicorn717 · 14/12/2022 12:46

If she's expecting you to do it on your day off then why can't she on her day off?

Just say no I won't be doing that, if it's important or you're able to go back to bed after then I'm sure you can pop on and do it yourself.

bonzaitree · 14/12/2022 12:47

Act your wage OP.

if you earned £126k then yes you’d have to do it - part of the reason that people get paid at that level is shit like this.

At £26k absolutely fucking not! It’s a below average wage so you work your hours and nothing more. End of discussion.

Asking you to work at 7am on a day that is (a) annual leave, (b) a bank holiday and (c) the day after Xmas is clearly ridiculous and unreasonable .

Do you think you’re being managed out? Are you able to look for a new job?

LlynTegid · 14/12/2022 12:48

I think escalate to her boss should be the next step.

I'd like to know who the company is, if you feel able to do so.

Lost123454 · 14/12/2022 12:49

Tell her to stick it up her arse

SnowlayRoundabout · 14/12/2022 12:50

OatMilkLattes · 14/12/2022 11:07

I already said that I was staying at home for Christmas. That’s why she’s given it to me clearly! She cheekily asked me what my plans were for Xmas last week - I thought she was genuinely interested but it all makes sense now 😡

Well, it's just too bad that, since you talked to her, you've changed your plans and accepted an invitation from your relative with no internet access, isn't it?

ABBAsnumberonefan · 14/12/2022 12:50

OatMilkLattes · 14/12/2022 11:46

I’ve messaged her to say I have the day off as it’s a bank holiday so I won’t be checking it.

Her response was for me to please check it still and you can go back to bed after 🙃

Wtf! She’s a CF! Why can’t she check it then go back to bed ffs

I’d be looping her manager into that email 🙄

SnowlayRoundabout · 14/12/2022 12:53

OatMilkLattes · 14/12/2022 11:46

I’ve messaged her to say I have the day off as it’s a bank holiday so I won’t be checking it.

Her response was for me to please check it still and you can go back to bed after 🙃

Response: "That's not possible. No doubt you will be able to check it and return to your holiday afterwards."

ZenNudist · 14/12/2022 12:55

DogInATent · 14/12/2022 12:14

Ask HR about the grievance procedures as you feel your manager is making unreasonable intrusions into your work:life balance and have been consistently exploiting their authority to prevent you taking leave over the christmas period over several years. Get the enquiry in before she leaves for their holiday.

You've nothing to lose if you're leaving anyway.

It's not as if they couldn't log in and make a phone call whilst on holiday themselves.

Show quote history

I'm invested in you standing your ground. Grievance process a bit much? Tempting!

rwalker · 14/12/2022 12:57

Why an earth do people think you have to make up done shit about plans and no internet
it’s a straight no no need to explain
tbh even if they offered to pay I wouldn’t do it

Ellie1015 · 14/12/2022 12:57

Yanbu. Well done for saying no.

OnlyFannys · 14/12/2022 12:58

ZenNudist · 14/12/2022 12:55

I'm invested in you standing your ground. Grievance process a bit much? Tempting!

Show quote history

I am also invested in this. Tell her to fuck off op

Courtjobby · 14/12/2022 12:59

Side point but if you claim tax relief for electricity internet because of WFH , where I live it is only given for your actual paid working days , so if you lived here you would be spending money to do this task ( even if it's minimal). Not that that's important as you shouldn't do it anyway

LemonSwan · 14/12/2022 12:59

Your leaving so who cares. Just say unfortunately you won’t be able to as on leave.

Nothing more, nothing less.

snoodles · 14/12/2022 13:01

Just say NO?! It's not that difficult. Know your worth!